Light in Shower

Doobz26 | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on November 13, 2009 02:19am

Any advice on putting a light in a shower? What about light switches near a shower? Are there requirements that the switch needs to be so far away?

renosteinke | Nov 13, 2009 02:27am | #1
A light mounted in the shower needs to be listed for 'wet' locations; in the case of recessed lights, this usually just means a closed piece of trim be used.

The switch cannot be within the shower enclosure. While Canadian rules differ a bit, in the NEC there is no rule against having the switch right next to the shower.

Unless the ceiling is less than 7-1/2ft above the floor of the shower, there is no requirement that the light be GFCI protected; yet that's not a bad thing to do anyway.

AFAIK, there are no fixtures listed for use in the newer steam showers, where condensation within the fixture is likely to cause troubles.
Pelipeth | Nov 13, 2009 03:35am | #2
As a rule of thumb, I always try to locate the switch "Out of Reach" from the shower stall, just safer I think.
Gunner | Nov 13, 2009 05:26am | #3
I'm not sure about the distance from the shower. But the fixture needs to be enclosed and it all needs to be on on a GFI.
Pinkyringz | Nov 13, 2009 05:30am | #4
I installed a recessed light inside my shower. It's rated for a "Wet" location however the switch is not within reach of the shower.

This is in Ontario, Canada. Absolutely love it! Nice and bright in the shower!

Doobz26 | Nov 13, 2009 06:07am | #5
All,

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at going with a fantech fan with a 50W halogen in the grille installed in the shower. It is rated for wet locations... so I think I'll be alright by the sounds of it. I'll probably put it on a GFCI circuit to be safe. But... the lights circuit has to be separate from the outlet GFCI ciruit don't they? So might I have to put the lights/fan on a separate GFCI breaker?

Mongo | Nov 13, 2009 08:19am | #8
Consider putting the light and fan on a timer switch. You flip the switch ON and the light and fan turn on. You finish your shower and flip the switch OFF and the light turns off but the fan continues to run for a preset time, usually anywhere from 10-60 minutes.
Gunner | Nov 13, 2009 02:45pm | #9
You are required to have it on a GFI. Think about it. Even if it is wet rated. You want you protected.

BillHartmann | Nov 13, 2009 10:10pm | #12
The NEC does not require a GFCI" for a shower light or fan.
However, you need to follow manufactures instrutions.Many of them require a GFCI protection for a fan in a shower, but I don't think that many stand alone lights require them..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

Clewless1 | Nov 13, 2009 04:56pm | #10
On separate GFI circuit? May depend on whether your outlets share a GFI w/ other bathrooms or not. I think my inspector told me, I could run a circuit to each bathroom or GFI to serve all bath outlets w/ the lights on other circuits.
JTC1 | Nov 13, 2009 08:20pm | #11
>>>the lights circuit has to be separate from the outlet GFCI ciruit don't they?<<

Don't think they "have" to be separate circuit, many people set them up this way so the lights don't go out when DD blows the GFCI outlet with hair dryer and rollers.

Here, I can run a single 20A line to a bathroom and run everything off of it, lights and outlet, unless the load is excessive. Outlet, fan, couple lights = OK. Now if there is a whirlpool or heater involved .... more circuits needed.

I GFCI everything in a bathroom, but I do not think there is a requirement to GFCI lights - no "point of disconnect". I believe it is required over the tub/shower, but not elsewhere in the room.

As someone else suggested - fan on a timer is a great upgrade. You can do this just with a switchleg out of the fan unit to a box with the timer. Mechanical timers work fine.

Switch / timer placement? Outside of the tub/shower footprint is legal, I like to keep them at least a couple feet away.

Jim Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

Jeff_Clarke | Nov 13, 2009 06:08am | #6
http://www.contrastlighting.com/en/prod.htm#312inchesshower

View Image View Image View Image

Jeff
xxPaulCPxx | Nov 13, 2009 07:25am | #7
You don't have to use an electric switch! Hot tub have switches too - and they get splashed with water all the time.

I mounted a garbage disposal type air switch near the shower valve. Now i turn on the recessed shower lights when i turn on the water. The air hose connects up to the switch under the tub.

Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!

Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
Shoemaker1 | Nov 14, 2009 01:41am | #14
Uphere the switch can't be closer than one meter or 39 inches. From the closest lip of tub/shower. GfIC or not.
I have bought one and going to put it in the Master shower still under construction. If I mount my switch right above the sink GRIC plug I can meet code and have a nice clean install.
I got the Halogen one.

Edited 11/13/2009 5:42 pm ET by Shoemaker1
McDesign | Nov 14, 2009 03:51am | #15
I've used 'jelly jar" cheap porch lights from Depot - our big shower has four of them, at like $7 apiece.

Forrest